Abstract: An article of footwear, comprising a sole having a top portion and a bottom portion, and one or more straps, wherein at least one of the straps extends from the top portion to the bottom portion through a channel in the sole, and the strap has a plug end; and a retention element disposed between the plug end and the bottom portion of the sole, wherein the retention element comprises a base and one or more flanges disposed at an outer edge of the base projecting angularly upward and away from the base.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a flexible outsole, a flexible footbed and a flexible elongated wedge-shape midsole. The midsole has a unitary construction including a heel support area and an arch support area. An open storage compartment is disposed within the heel support area and is concealed by the footbed which overlays the midsole and the outsole. The footbed is fixedly attached to a front toe area of the outsole and fixedly attached to the midsole at about the arch support area. The footbed is further removably attached to the midsole at about the heel support area so that the footbed may be lifted up pivotally and way from the heel support area to provide user access to the storage compartment. Stiffeners disposed within the footbed facilitate the pivoting of the footbed and prevent collapse of the footbed into the compartment under a user load.

Abstract: A novelty footwear item includes a flexible outsole, a flexible footbed and a flexible elongated wedge-shape midsole. The midsole has a unitary construction including a heel support area and an arch support area. An open storage compartment is disposed within the heel support area and is concealed by the footbed which overlays the midsole and the outsole. The footbed is fixedly attached to a front toe area of the outsole and fixedly attached to the midsole at about the arch support area. The footbed is further removably attached to the midsole at about the heel support area so that the footbed may be lifted up pivotally and way from the heel support area to provide user access to the storage compartment. Stiffeners disposed within the footbed facilitate the pivoting of the footbed and prevent collapse of the footbed into the compartment under a user load.

Abstract: A novelty footwear construction includes a cassette-like heel component which is sandwiched between a mid-sole and an outsole for supporting the heel of a user, and wherein the heel component includes an upper retainer, a lower retainer, and a hollow flask for supporting the heel of a user and for providing the user with a source of fluid refreshment.